Three ways to naturally ward off mosquitoes this spring

If current temperatures are anything to go by, we're in for a hot summer. And that means, you and your family are going to have to take precautions as mosquitoes run rampant. Here's how you can do so without the use of harmful chemicals…

Although some mosquitoes carry life-threatening diseases like malaria and encephalitis, most of us don’t hate them for putting our health at risk. We hate them because their bites really itch.

With the weather heating up around the country, it’s only a matter of time before these pests climb out of the woodwork and start keeping you up at night.

But it doesn’t have to be this way…

Natural ways to protect your family from mosquitoes as the weather heats up

Natural mosquito repellent #1: Cinnamon oil

Here’s something you probably didn’t know: Cinnamon oil kills mosquito eggs. And that means mosquitoes avoid it like the plaque. Use this to your advantage this season by adding pure cinnamon oil to your favourite moisturising lotion or sunscreen to create your own natural mosquito repellent.

To do this, add “a few drops to the mixture until you can begin to smell the cinnamon above the other ingredients,” explains naturalhealth-solutions.net. But be careful not to add too much cinnamon oil to the lotion. In concentrated doses, it can irritate your skin.

Natural mosquito repellent #2: Garlic

Recently, a patient wrote into Dr Jonathan Wright, the natural health specialist behind Nutrition & Healing, to tell him that taking 1,200mg of odourless garlic each morning is a great way to keep mosquitoes away.

And it works.

But not because garlic’s potent smell deters. Instead, garlic blocks their ability to smell so they literally can’t smell you.

Natural mosquito repellent #3: Plant catnip

Not only will catnip make your cat happy, it can help keep mosquitoes at bay too. It’s so effective, in fact, that studies show “nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odour, is ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET,” reports sciencedaily.com. So plant it around your entertainment area or crush the leaves directly onto your skin.

If you still can’t help but get bitten, Dr Wright suggests the following natural treatment for mosquito bites.

If a mosquito bites you, try this

Make a paste from a digestive enzyme like pancreatin, bromelain or papain. These enzymes come in tablet, capsule or powder form and are available in any natural food store. You’ll feel instant relief.

To relieve the itch, simply combine the powder with a little water to make a paste. Then apply it directly to the bite and reapply as needed.

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